May 27 / 14.55 Cartmel

14.55

Good To Soft

Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 1f 83y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 123P-1 C

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won four staying chases on ground ranging from good to heavy last season and back to form to win a staying chase here on Saturday (jumped well); escapes a penalty and is 5lb lower over hurdles so he's an interesting runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Popular veteran who runs this track well and capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) in May; this drop back in trip is not ideal on his return to hurdling, though; cheekpieces (worn for last three races) left off today.

10/1

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 3114-2

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; won a maiden and two novice hurdle at up to 2m5f for John McConnell; good second in a 3m handicap at Kilbeggan on stable debut last time (good, hood tried); has a chance, but best form on decent ground and any rain would be a negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:57 Kilbeggan

Lisnamult Lad

10st 9lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has lost his way since a fine second in the 2025 Topham; four non-completions from six starts; recent return to hurdling has failed to spark a revival in form.

25/1

14th

9

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:18 Bellewstown

Lisnamult Lad

11st 7lb

J: Mr T J Stafford

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has lost way since a fine second in the 2025 Topham; four non-completions from five starts; recent return to hurdling at Kilbeggan failed to spark a revival in form; competes off 13lb lower than chase mark.

50/1

2

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 100y

19:42 Kilbeggan

Lisnamult Lad

11st 10lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has lost way since a superb second in the 2025 Topham Chase at Aintree; three non-completions from four starts since and hopes now pinned on return to hurdling off 10lb lower mark sparking something.

13/2

16/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 4BP0-3

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Ran his best race for a while when third at Aintree last time (2m4f, good); has won on soft ground but yet to prove that he stays this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

Has run only three times since beating Its On The Line at Cheltenham last season; winner of points at Dromahane in November and 19 days ago, that recent display providing reassurance after a disappointingly lifeless Cheltenham defence; leading contender for the stable that has dominated the point-to-point scene this season.

3/1

7th

23

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

4-4 since bought for £33,000 in July 2024 and he emerged from midfield to win this last year (good to soft; effective on softer), fending off the late charge of Its On The Line; has undergone a similar preparation, arriving here fresh after winning a point in early November; there have been back-to-back winners of this race and a bold defence looks on the cards.

11/2

1st

23

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

Only three runs over regulation fences but he was third in a Grade 2 in 2022 and fourth in a good novice handicap here in late 2023; signed off for the Bowen yard last summer with respectable runs over hurdles and hasn't been overly pressed to win two small-field points in Ireland for this stable; positive jockey booking and brings each-way hopes provided a 131-day break doesn't come back to bite him.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2P21-1 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
In fine form at present, following up her good second in a Newbury handicap in March (3m, good to soft) by winning similar events at Warwick (3m1f, good) and Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft); up a total of 19lb (8lb higher than last win); one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Take No Chances

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Not at the top of her game in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month but this sort of trip may be her optimum; neck second to Strong Leader at Wetherby (3m, good) in November and creditable third behind Impose Toi and Strong Leader in another Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) later that month; ran well here 12 months ago; each-way claims if back on song.

25/1

4th

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Take No Chances

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot before finishing third to Lossiemouth in this and the Aintree Hurdle (Wodhooh 8l ahead in second) last spring; has slightly bettered those RPRs in defeat on all four outings this season and she's an each-way player again.

9/1

3rd

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Take No Chances

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, good) last January and she's looked better than ever when running really well in defeat against males in Grade 2s at Wetherby (3m, good) and Newbury (3m, soft) on last two starts; she'll be fine now back down in trip and may well be in the mix.

3/1

Form: 11126- CD

Last run: 100 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won three on the trot last season, two of them over C&D on good to soft/soft; not at his best when last seen out (February), but stable has an excellent record here; better expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Our Sam

10st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won twice here in 2023; respectable efforts this year but not as good as he was; 10lb out of the weights.

16/1

10th

14

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:22 Cartmel

Our Sam

10st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Dual course winner in 2023; kept on for fourth over C&D (good to soft; also suited by soft/heavy) in May and subsequent Hexham second was also very respectable but he's no longer the force of old.

14/1

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

18:50 Hexham

Our Sam

11st 1lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

C&D winner in 2023; well below best form over the last year or so but at least took a step back in right direction when keeping-on fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good to soft) ten days ago.

12/1

Form: 22263-

Last run: 219 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won since September 2022; fair form for Milton Harris last summer; conditions suit; could go well on stable debut on first run since October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Stuck on a lengthy losing run and was well behind Boskill Borden here 12 days ago; the first-time tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

16/1

7th

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Struggling before minor late gains at Market Rasen latest (2m5f, good) extended his losing run to 20; first drop into a 0-105 since July 2022 isn't sufficient on its own to persuade this is the day.

8/1

Form: 1498-P CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Won this race off 6lb lower mark in 2023 (good); came into that race in decent form but has struggled on last three starts, and has plenty to prove having pulled up at Uttoxeter when back from a break earlier this month (2m4f, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 3

16:20 Hexham

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

in touch with leaders

20/1

7th

1

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Aramax

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Formerly a very useful hurdler/chaser; not quite so good these days but won two 3m handicap hurdles on good ground last summer; bit below par since; on a good mark and today's going will suit but better over further these days.

12/1

5th

3

24th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:25 Cartmel

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

prominent, went second after 8th, prominent 3 out, weakened approaching last

10/1

Form: 1224-1

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Seemed suited by the step up to 2m7f when a convincing winner at Market Rasen last time (good); up 6lb; handles soft ground and could improve again now up to 3m1f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Lihyan

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two wins last season, the first a four-runner Huntingdon handicap in May (3m1f, good), the second a six-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; far from disgraced in a competitive race at Aintree last time and not without a chance despite career-high mark.

13/2

7th

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Lihyan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last ten starts by William Maggs; seventh hurdle win when seeing off five rivals at Newbury (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago but even a 2lb nudge seems likely to stop him in this much more competitive scenario.

25/1

1st

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lihyan

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last nine starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft ground; six-time winner, most recently last May; good placed efforts at about 3m four times in a row in October-December, before he failed to show in a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh (10-1) nearly seven weeks ago; best form this term was over C&D, so he's not entirely ruled out.

11/2

Form: 537P7- C

Last run: 237 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won three times on good ground over 2m1f in 2021; not won since, although was a fair third over 2m6f here last July (good to soft); bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:00 Cartmel

Alqamar

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: James Moffatt

3-11 at Cartmel but all three of those wins were in the summer of 2021 and he's mostly been off the boil over the last two years; last month's run (here) was his first for 237 days and perhaps he needed it; yard runs four.

33/1

9th

13

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

14:55 Cartmel

Alqamar

10st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Won three times on good ground over 2m1f in 2021; not won since, although was a fair third over 2m6f here last July (good to soft); bit to prove.

25/1

Form: 91113- D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick of wins at around this trip on soft ground earlier this year; went up 14lb but fair third off this mark in a better race last time (3m, soft); one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season and dropped out very quickly after running well for a long way over C&D (good to soft; first-time visor) last month; positives can still be drawn from that recent effort but others in this field look much less risky; cheekpieces back on today.

12/1

2

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season; didn't run badly when fifth of six at Doncaster (3m, good) in March and will be suited by the forecast rain here but still needs a boost from today's change of headgear.

10/1

2

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season; didn't run badly when fifth of six at Doncaster (3m, good) in March and will be suited by the forecast rain here but still needs a boost from today's change of headgear.

10/1

16/1

Form: 45P40-

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Winner over hurdles and fences for Tom Lacey; didn't show his best form in five runs for Stuart Coltherd; well handicapped; conditions suit and quite interesting on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

6th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:15 Kelso

Scipion

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in rear

10/1

4th

5

26th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:40 Cartmel

Scipion

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Useful hurdler/chaser when with Tom Lacey but had very disappointing five-race spell with Stuart Coltherd last season and was tailed off behind Tommie Beau over hurdles here on stable debut in May; can cope with slow ground but needs combination of wind surgery and refitted tongue-tie to make a big difference.

12/1

11th

10

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

14:55 Cartmel

Scipion

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led early, headed but prominent before 2nd

16/1

Form: /1402-

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) and Haydock last spring (3m, good); 12l second to an in-form rival at Bangor when last seen out in March (2m3f, soft; subsequent Swinton hurdle winner Pickanumber back in third); sound run only previous start here; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:28 Market Rasen

Willaston

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Narrow winner at Carlisle in April (2m3.5f, good; second had won two previous races); has not fared quite as well since, including with a visor tried at Uttoxeter last time; regular cheekpieces back on here but he needs to bounce back now back up in trip (stays 3m well).

10/1

5th

5

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

19:30 Uttoxeter

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

2m3f success at Carlisle in April (good), his fifth career win; not at his best the last twice and a visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

6

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Five-time winner, the latest over 2m3f at Carlisle in April (good); below par when last seen out a month ago and needs to bounce back.

11/1

Form: 81271-

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Had a great season last time, winning five races mostly at around 2m, the latest a competitive handicap at Aintree in April (2m, soft); won over 2m3f on heavy ground in December, but stamina to prove at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

El Jefe

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.00
Straight Forecast £30.48
Tricast £204.02
Trifecta £262.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Take No Chances

The Times:

Lihyan

Daily Mirror:

Lisnamult Lad

SPOTLIGHT:

Willaston

TOPSPEED:

Mr Yeats

The Sun:

Aramax

The Star:

Lisnamult Lad

POSTDATA:

Take No Chances

Telegraph:

Take No Chances

Daily Mail:

Take No Chances

D Express:

Take No Chances

The Guardian:

Lihyan

Daily Record:

Lihyan